:: SCIM Book Discussions ::

SCIM's Online Book Discussions

SCIM's book discussions are an online experience through Blackboard, so that anyone who wishes to participate can do so regardless of geographical location.

Please email us if you wish to be a part of one of our book discussions, but do not have a SCIM membership.

Upcoming Book Discussions:

:: Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together and Doing It Right
:: Eight Weeks, starting December 15th
.
:: Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens
:: Seven Weeks, starting January 15th

SCIM Online Book Discussion FAQ

What is an online book group discussion?

An online book group discussion draws a group of people together for accountability in reading a selected book and the added benefits of expressing yourself and seeing others’ perspectives on the content of the book. You also have the opportunity to dialog back and forth to better understand the principles of the book. Sometimes, we will even have an author available to us for comment.

You say anyone. Does that mean I can be a part of a book group if I am not a SCIM member?

Yes! You can participate in any online book discussion for a $15 registration fee, or you can check out our SCIM membership page, to find out how you can become a member of SCIM for a one-time fee of $29.95!

How long does the discussion last?

Most groups strive to cover two chapters per week, unless the chapters are particularly short or particularly long. This means that the discussion for a short book might last three weeks, and for a longer one, may last up to eight weeks or so. The facilitator is responsible to make adaptations based on the group’s energy and engagement.

What’s a SCIM book discussion look like?

We set up a Blackboard site to discuss books. Each book discussion is organized with a “general review” section where participants express their overall perspective of the book, and a chapter by chapter threaded discussion. Each thread will start out with a question posed by the facilitator. This will be the “jumping off” point for the discussion. Participants may engage with any of the following:

:: Answer the posted question

:: Comment on a particularly meaningful thought from the reading selection

:: Ask a question based on the content of the selection

:: Respond to someone else’s comments (the facilitator will help to make sure the
threaded discussion stays “orderly” in both appearance and content)

:: Quote a portion of the text and ask for comments from other participants

:: Relate the selected reading to other sources of knowledge (Scripture, reason,
experience, or perhaps other readings)

:: “Sound off” with a statement or agreement or disagreement with the author.

How do I participate in the discussion?

First, you will need to register for the Blackboard group. Email us, and we will walk you through the registration process.

Once you are enrolled and sign in to the Blackboard site, there will be a welcome page posted by the group facilitator with the reading schedule and the format for the discussion.

Can I receive Continuing Education Credits for participation?

You may receive one CEU by completing the following specific requirements and requesting a certificate at the beginning of the discussion group (so that the facilitator may keep track of your completion of all of the following requirements):

:: Answering the question posted by the facilitator in each of the discussion threads
with a thoughtful and complete answer

:: Engaging in a minimum of two significant discussions for each thread

:: Stating that you carefully and completely read the designated book and all the
forum posts

Do I have to earn CEU credits?

NO! We welcome people to participate as fully as they can in the discussion as regularly as possible, but you do not have to complete the specific requirements specified for CEU credit. We encourage you to follow the guidelines of the Covenant of Participation.

How are facilitators selected?

Facilitators demonstrate an interest in sharing a particular book with a group of engaged readers within the SCIM guidelines. If you are interested in facilitating a book group or recommending a title that has specific application to ministry, contact Dr. Lori Niles.

Contact Us :: SCIM@mnu.edu :: 913.971.3356 :: fax 913.971.3406